Saudi Preinsulated Pipes Industries (SPPI) LLC, a 100 per cent Saudi-owned limited liability company, was established in Riyadh in 1981 to meet the increasing demand of pre-insulated piping systems.

SPPI grew and started to diversify its activities in the same field Ñ piping. The latest addition is the manufacturing facilities to extrude high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes.

"We started with one extruder in 1998 with a production range from 110mm up to 630mm outside diameter, and we placed early this year an order for another extrusion line with outside diameter from 500mm up to 1200mm. The new production line shall be operational in October of this year," said general manager Saleh Alnamlah. "We are now finalising the purchase of another two extrusion lines with the production range from 16mm up to 400mm outside diameter."

SPPI products are in accordance with international codes and standards, such as ISO, DIN and ASTM, and they are tested randomly in our laboratory for the following:

1. Melt flow index/melt flow rate based on ASTM D1238.

2. Tensile properties based on ASTM D638.

3. Density and specific gravity based on ASTM D792.

4. External loading characteristics based on ASTM D2412.

5. Long-term hydrostatic strength based on ASTM D1598.

6. Short-time hydrostatic failure based on ASTM D1599.

HDPE piping systems are used worldwide for conveying water as well as for the transportation of hazardous fluids. They offer the following advantages to the customer: